Indore to Become a Connectivity Model with Metropolitan Rapid Rail and Metro Expansion
After 20 months of deliberations, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav confirmed on December 21 that the metro line from Bengali to Khajrana Square in Indore will be underground. The metro section from here to the airport will also be underground. The additional cost of ₹865 crore for the 3.5 km underground stretch from Bengali to MG Road will be borne by the state government.
The Chief Minister made this decision at the District Development Advisory Committee meeting held at the Brilliant Convention Center in Indore. Additionally, after the removal of BRTS, the construction of an elevated corridor on AB Road from LIG to Noulkha Square has also been cleared.
Expansion of Indore Metropolitan Region
The Indore Metropolitan Region has now been expanded from 9,989 square kilometers to 14,550 square kilometers. This expansion now includes the area near Ratlam, extending to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. This will connect industrial zones like Pithampur and Badnawar, and it will enhance logistics and industrial growth.
This marks the fourth time the metropolitan area has been expanded. Previously, the region included only Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Dhar, and Shajapur. Now, the area will also cover Ratlam, Khachrod, and parts of Shajapur and Maksi, connecting with the Bhopal metropolitan area.
Three Major Projects in the Pipeline
Metro Project:
The tender for the underground sections will take 48 months to finalize, and the entire 31.32 km metro ring in Indore is expected to be completed by 2030. The state has secured loans of ₹1,600 crore each from NDB and ADB for the metro project and will need an additional ₹865 crore loan.
Metropolitan Region Plan:
The area notification for the newly expanded 14,550 square kilometers will be issued after six months, and the situation analysis report will be prepared accordingly.
Elevated Corridor:
The design of the elevated corridor will be submitted by the contractor to the PWD Chief Engineer for approval, and work will commence once approved. In the coming days, a meeting with elected representatives will decide the extent of the corridor’s expansion. A traffic survey will also be conducted after the removal of the BRTS system.
Benefits of Indore Metropolitan Region Expansion
- Indore will have an international airport.
- Airstrips will be developed in Ujjain and Ratlam.
- Major stations such as Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Ratlam, Nagda Junction, and Shajapur will be connected.
- Food parks and IT sectors will expand in the region.
- Industrial expansion along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, including Pithampur, Nagda, Badnawar, and Ratlam.
- Improved highway connectivity will reduce travel time from Indore to Delhi and Mumbai to six hours.
- The tourism industry will benefit from places like Ujjain, Omkareshwar, and Devass’s Khivni Sanctuary.
- Integrated townships will develop with industrial growth, and large investors will be invited for upcoming investments.
Development & Future Prospects
With the expansion of the metro and infrastructure, Indore is set to become a major hub of industrial growth, connectivity, and tourism. A major investor conference will be held soon to attract large-scale investments in the region.